Kick-Ass
Starring: Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz, Nicolas Cage
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Rating: R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use.
Running time: 1 hours, 57 minutes.
“Kick-Ass” has been getting a lot of hype lately, especially for its loss then come-from-behind win of the box office to the 3-D sensation “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Though I enjoyed “Dragon” more than “Kick-Ass,” the latest film in a growing field of superhero movies’ vast appeal (especially to teenage boys) is very understandable.
But, this probably isn’t the movie you’re expecting.
The job of a movie trailer is to make you want to see the film. But it should also reflect the mood and plot of the movie without giving it all away.
And in this, the advertising company truly failed.
You may be anticipating an offbeat comedy about a group of teenagers who decide to become superheroes and save the world. They may even be pitted against a truly “bad guy” and through comedic measures and their learned skills/friendships must find a way to come out victorious.
In short, maybe the sarcastic humor of “Superbad” meets the regular-guy feel of “Spiderman.”
(And since Christopher Mintz-Plasse, one of the stars of “Superbad,” takes a lead in “Kick-Ass” as well, it’s not hard to make that comparison.)
And, really, with a few give-and-takes, that assumption isn’t completely off base.
But the violence. Oh, the violence.
Despite the “R” rating, I wasn’t expecting a throat-cutting, knife-throwing, foul-mouthed 11-year-old girl.
Which isn’t to say that young Chloe Moretz (Mindy Macredie a.k.a. Hit Girl) isn’t one of the best parts of the whole movie. In fact, this role may just catapult her career. I just wish I had known what I was stepping into.
Unsurprisingly, “Kick-Ass” is based off a 2008 comic of the same title. But it feels fresh and is a funny take on this superhero-saturated decade.
Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) is no stand out. Not even among his obscure friends. He’s out of the minds of thugs and bullies as soon as they steal his phone and cash, and he’s certainly not floating about in the thoughts of any girls.
Lizewski decides to take a stand for the little guy and sets out to defend the world under the name of Kick-Ass with a scuba suit and absolutely no idea.
Luckily, before Lizewski can do major harm to himself, he is rescued by the young Hit Girl and her father Big Daddy (a perfect role for Nicolas Cage), two other vigilantes of the city.
But, unlike Lizewski, these masked allies have a specific target, and Kick-Ass soon finds himself in the middle of a mission that is much bigger than him.
Mintz-Plasse plays fellow teen-turned-faux-superhero Red Mist, who teaches Kick-Ass that you can’t trust just anyone...
But Moretz’ portrayal of “Hit Girl” will be what keeps you watching. This mouthy little tween is both unbelievable and highly entertaining (it’s just amazing her parents allowed her to do such a role).
“Kick-Ass” doesn’t fit neatly into any specific category, which is at once its appeal and its downfall. It’s a comedy. It’s an action movie. It’s a teen flick. It’s for adults.
Who knows.
And the people who enjoy it (and there will be many) won’t really care. It has a very strong and growing fanbase.
“Kick-Ass” isn’t for everybody, but for those select few who it is for, they’re in for quite a treat.
3.5 of 5 stars
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